Street parties take over Saturdays
Summer on the Streets — Firehouse Art Center’s ongoing free series that brilliantly pairs art, music and theater — gave folks a taste of the summer festivities this spring, with the Art of Food Fest in May.
The full series kicks off Saturday with an official summer date that promises entertainment for all ages and plenty of artisanal wares to purchase.
Rolling into Downtown Longmont Saturday will be Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado’s roving Theatre Truck and with it a fresh family-friendly production “Amelia’s Big Idea.” The play starts at 4 p.m. outside the City of Longmont Public Librar y.
“I am excited to bring back the Butterfly Effect Theatre’s traveling Theatre Truck,” said Elaine Waterman, executive
Lex Mendez spray paints a canvas at last year’s Summer on the Streets. The Longmont event returns to Saturdays this summer along Kimbark Street and 4th Avenue.
director of Firehouse Art Center. “Last year was our first year offering live theater on the truck, and it was a mystery of how it would work. The Summer on the Streets event was one of their biggest at that time, and I am hoping that we can have
a repeat of that success.”
The feel-good musical that centers around 10-year-old Amelia’s goal to bring a dog park to her community is a creative collaboration written by Richie Cannaday, Edie Carey and Heather Beasley, who once helped plan Artwalk
before Firehouse acquired it in 2019.
“In a time when so many communities are politically divided, we set out to tell a story about people who work together to accomplish a shared community goal,” said Beasley, BETC’S associate artistic director. “We wanted to tell a story that would appeal to young people who are interested in how things work.”
The mobile performance has traveled to parks along the Front Range and last week even rolled into Nobo Arts District for First Friday. Prior to Saturday’s Longmont performance, folks can catch the play at 11 a.m. Friday at Echo Brewing and Pizzeria, 600 Briggs St., Erie.
“Lots of people can’t imagine life without their pets,” Beasley said. “Amelia’s best friend is her dog, Gadget. As Amelia learns about how Townville runs, from the mayor’s office to the postal service to community centers, her goal is to create a better place for Gadget to play. She learns how to work with others to transform Townville into a better place for everyone.”
With catchy tunes and a message of improving a town, the musical has resonated with many.
“Audiences have had a lot to say about ‘Amelia,’” Beasley said. “We ask families to tell us their own big ideas for their communities after each show. They’ve shared ideas including, ‘free Wi-fi,’ ‘a community garden,’ ‘an outside temple for all religions,’ ‘shady playgrounds’ and our favorite — ‘more great children’s theater.’”
The heart-warming production is a welcomed addition to Summer on the Streets.
“I personally love how the play focuses on how kids can make a difference in improving their community,” Waterman said. “The Firehouse tries to make Longmont a more creative and better place, and we want to empower everyone to do that, especially our youth.”
Movie buffs can also look forward to a series of films. Saturday’s pick is “School of Rock,” starring Jack Black. Other flicks include “Selena” on July 23 and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on Aug. 6.
Films will start at dusk in the Longmont Public Library Pavilion. I Scream Colorado will serve kettle corn.
“I am also excited about our partnership with Longmont Public Media,” Waterman said. “They are a media makerspace, and we thought the Outdoor Cinema and BOCO Filmmakers Showcase would be a great way to showcase different forms of media.”
Summer on the Streets also serves as a platform for